NEW Video Game Kickstarter is LIVE!

Crosse Studios, who recently partnered with game developer Big Ant Studios, announced that Lacrosse 14 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC is now live on Kickstarter.

If the Kickstarter fundraising goal is reached, Lacrosse 14 will be released the Spring of 2014 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and the PC. The game will feature high quality graphics, a multi-year dynasty mode, competitive online multiplayer, in-depth character customization, and ultra-realistic lacrosse gameplay.

The campaign allows the fans to help build Lacrosse 14 through preorders and experience the thrill of being featured in the game. If enough people back the Lacrosse 14 Kickstarter, Crosse Studios and Big Ant will be able to deliver the highest-quality lacrosse video game ever created to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC for the Spring of 2014.

“What makes our campaign awesome is that the fans who preorder Lacrosse 14 can have their name and face featured in the game forever. It’s not very often that the average person gets to be included in their favorite video game!” said Carlo Sunseri, founder of Crosse Studios.

Crosse Studios is a Pittsburgh-based company that specializes in the development of lacrosse video games. Crosse Studios has released five Xbox 360 lacrosse games, which include three College Lacrosse games and two games fully licensed by the National Lacrosse League. Most recently, Crosse Studios released Lacrosse Dodge and is actively developing Flick Lacrosse and College Lacrosse for iOS and Android.

See below for an interview with Carlo Sunseri of Crosse Studios, previewing the game:

Crosse Studios, in-conjunction with game developer, Big Ant, announced Lacrosse 14 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC. Lacrosse 14 will be funded through a month long “all-or-nothing” Kickstarter Campaign. Kickstarter allows the fans to help fund Lacrosse 14 through pre-orders and/or having their name and face featured in the game. If enough people support Lacrosse 14, Crosse Studios and Big Ant will be able to deliver the highest-quality lacrosse video game ever created to Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC for the Spring of 2014.

The above was taken from a press release, and supplies the most basic info, but as usual, we wanted to delve a little deeper, so we got in contact with Carlo Sunseri, of Crosse Studios, to get some more info on this project:

Why choose Kickstarter? What makes you think it’s a viable funding source for this type of project?

I pitched Lacrosse 14to the major publishers in attempt to raise the funding in the traditional manner but the feedback I received is that lacrosse is too small of a market to support a lax video game… which we know is definitely not true! So Kickstarter fits naturally for a lacrosse video game. We know there is a demand and people are obviously super passionate about it so let’s give it shot. It’s not going to be easy by any means but if everyone chips in and spreads the word about the Kickstarter campaign we could do something really special.

What does Big Ant bring to the table? Why did you choose to partner with them?

Big Ant is the largest game development studio in Australia and has released multiple successful sports titles to Xbox 360, Playstation, and the PC. For example, Rugby League Live 1 & 2 and Don Bradman Cricket 14 are Big Ant games.

Is “14” an update of older games? Or are we talking about a total overhaul, and new product?

14 will be an entirely new product. Everything will be rebuilt from the ground up. All new graphics, physics, animations, and lacrosse gameplay. It’s going to be amazing! Everyone needs to tell their friends and families to get involved. It’s going to be a lot of fun! We will all be working together to make an amazing lacrosse video game! I’m really excited and nervous about the entire thing. Haha. It has consumed my life!

What is the best “user tip” you’ve received on how to make the game better?

In the past, everyone really enjoyed the gameplay but always asked for better graphics… and that we release it on PlayStation. Those are the two requests I have heard loud and clear from day one. Now that it’s happening, we need everyone to jump in and spread the word about the Kickstarter to see those improvements and changes.

Can a successful, fun lacrosse video game help spread the game to new places and players?

Absolutely! That is one of biggest positives I see out of developing lacrosse video games. They get people involved with the sport that would never have an opportunity if there wasn’t a lacrosse video game. It’s another tool to educate and attract people to the game we all love!

Is the larger community on board? Have any major sponsors lined up? Any you can tell us about specifically?

We have had amazing support from the entire lacrosse community, as a whole, throughout the past five years. People have already started reaching out to ask how they can be involved with Lacrosse 14. It’s amazing to see so many people that want to see the sport succeed.

But at the same time, an issue right now in the lacrosse industry is that a lot of companies want exclusive rights to certain products/events. That to me holds back the growth of the sport more than anything. I would love to see every piece of equipment, mesh, jersey, venue, team, and league featured in Lacrosse 14. If every company and media outlet were to combine their reach to Grow the Game I think we would see even faster growth than we are seeing now.

Are you trying to partner with the NCAA or MLL? If not, would you like to? If not, why not?

Absolutely. Having real teams in the game makes everything more fun! Imagine ripping a two pointer with clock running down or battling in the National Championship with Robert Morris (shameless plug there for the boys). As I said above, I want to partner with anyone who is committed to working together to Grow the Game. That’s why you guys rock! You always keep growing the game in the forefront of everything you do… That’s the way it should be.

About the author

Connor Wilson

Connor is the Publisher of LacrosseAllStars.com. He lives in Brooklyn with his better half, continues to play and coach both box and field lacrosse in NYC as much as possible, and covers the great game that is lacrosse full-time. He spends his spare time stringing sticks and watching Futurama.